The redevelopment agency bought the century-old building, which used to house large electricity-generating turbines for streetcars, from The City in 2003 for $900,000.

The agency planned to convert the building into a new jazz center or other community resource.

But the agency failed to find a developer interested in the project and it spent millions of dollars that had been set aside for the project to subsidize failing jazz-themed restaurants on Fillmore Street.

Legislation due to be considered by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday would see the building’s ownership transferred back to The City.